DA revisits hybrid rice derby

THE Central Luzon Department of Agriculture (DA) revisited the Hybrid Rice Varietal Derby launched last year at the Central Luzon State University Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The project is in collaboration with the CLSU, Philippines Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and Muñoz Provincial Agriculture Office.

The Hybrid Rice Varietal Derby aims to showcase the potentials by providing the best management and planting practices of the various hybrid rice varieties used under the Rice Resiliency Project of the Ahon Lahat, Food Enough vs. Covid-19 program.

Seven seed companies participated in the said activity, which included Corteva Agriscience, Bioseed Research Philippines Inc., Bayer, LongPin Tropical Rice Development Inc., SeedWorks, Syngenta, and SL. Agritech Corporation.

During the department’s visit to hybrid rice crops on April 13, participants and agencies had the opportunity to show off their varieties. This way, farmers will have the opportunity to get to know the hybrid rice provided to them by the DA and farmers will be able to enjoy the hybrid in subsequent crops.

Regional Executive Director Crispulo G. Bautista, Jr., during the launching of the activity, said he encouraged seed companies to take as a challenge in promoting hybrid rice technology for farmers.

“I have a challenge here with seed companies. It’s about time that our seed companies help us in promoting hybrid rice technology. I hope every province will conduct a techno demo,” he said.

Through this, farmers can easily keep up and improve their production towards a rich harvest and high income.

“With the leadership of our Secretary, one factor or a reason why we have enough food is through these hybrid seeds. We can see especially here in Nueva Ecija comparing to the yield of the inbred and then hybrid during the dry season, the inbred only reaches about 5.6 tons per hectare, that's average. The hybrid reaches as high as 7.8 tons per hectare,” Bautista added.

The harvest was expected to be held April this year.

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